A New Zealand outfit and two potential V8 Supercar Championship contenders have secured places on the grid for this year’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 on October 9-12.
Ford Performance Racing will prepare a fifth Ford Falcon for Kiwi-backed team Super Black Racing at the mountain while Dragon Motor Racing will field two Holden Commodores.
Dragon Motor Racing will field one of the V8 Supercars at the Wilson Security Sandown 500, on September 12-14, in the lead-up to the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 from October 9-12.
Dragon Motor Racing is being assisted by Garry Rogers Motorsport in their preparation for the October classic, utilising the twin Holden Commodore new generation cars raced last year by Scott McLaughlin, for two wins, and Alex Premat.
Super Black Racing is the first New Zealand backed team to compete in the Championship since Team Kiwi while Dragon Motor Racing is an entry led by Tony Klein.
Both teams will reveal more detail on the composition of their entries, drivers and sponsors in the coming months leading into Australia’s iconic event.
Super Black Racing is the brainchild of businessman Tony Lentino who is proud to be reintroducing a New Zealand team into the series.
“I am a proud Kiwi and have a passion for motorsport so being able to create a team and bring the black and silver New Zealand colours back into the sport gives me great pride,” Mr Lentino said.
“Bathurst is the greatest motor race in our region and is as iconic in New Zealand as it is in Australia. It is the best place for us to make our debut and will be a great sounding board to a potential full-time entry in the series.”
FPR Team Principal Tim Edwards said having Super Black Racing in the FPR stable was an honour.
“Super Black Racing represents a whole nation and one that has produced and continues to produce top-line talent,” Edwards said.
“The concept of helping to bring on the next generation is commendable and the team will add another interesting point of difference to a race that captures everyone’s attention on both sides of the ditch.”
Dragon Motor Racing’s primary focus is to open doors for young, talented people keen to work in the motor sport industry, developing career paths for its staff from karting to V8 Supercars, and currently runs Dunlop Series entries for Kristian Lindbom and Ben Schoots, with the two on-track at the next event, the Coates Hire Ipswich 400 from August 1-3.
The step into the V8 Supercars Championship is part of that long-term vision.
“We have been working with the team at Garry Rogers Motorsport on our wildcard entry since May this year. Our team is hoping that our campaign is a catalyst and stepping stone to further opportunities within the V8 Supercar competition,” Klein said.
Both Holden new generation cars are progressing well and their preparation for the Pirtek Enduro Cup races are on track.
Klein said: “Both cars were in the top 10 on the grip last year at Bathurst, so if we can put together the right drivers and support team there is no reason why we could not achieve the same results in 2014.”
